DRR–Intellectual Discourse 2025 & MoU Exchange between UTM and MERCY Malaysia

Nur Aqila Alias

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 – The Disaster Risk Reduction – Intellectual Discourse 2025 (DRR-ID 2025) marked a significant milestone in Malaysia’s commitment to disaster resilience. Under the theme “Advancing Climate Resilience & Empowering DRR Parliamentarian,” the event convened key policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to accelerate national efforts in line with the UNDRR Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Organized by the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Center (DPPC), Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the DRR-ID was further supported by strategic partners, including the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the Prime Minister’s Department, the Selangor Disaster Management Unit (SDMU) of the Selangor State Secretary Office (SUK Selangor), MERCY Malaysia, and the Enforcement, Leadership and Management University (ELMU).

UTM — APPGM-DRM unites Parliamentarians towards the Acceleration of our Commitment to Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience

This multi sectoral platform attended by YBhg. Professor Datuk Dr Kassim Noor Mohamed, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive ELMU, a newly established private university in advancing disaster education in the region

Parliamentarian at the Forefront of DRR Action

The APPGM-DRM was established by the Parliament of Malaysia on 27 November 2024 to position parliamentarians as key drivers of disaster risk reduction (DRR). The DPPC (MJIIT, UTM) serves as the secretariat and plays a crucial role in facilitating legislative advocacy, disaster education, and policy reform. During its first meeting, the APPGM-DRM emphasized the need for ongoing engagement in disaster education and the Humanitarian-Development Nexus (HDN), aligning with UTM’s vision of fostering intellectual dialogue for national resilience. Key participants included His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia; YB Ir. Ts. Zahir Hassan, Chairman of APPGM–DRM and Member of Parliament (MP) for Wangsa Maju; YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia; YBrs. Professor Ts. Dr. Abd Latif Saleh, Pro-Vice Chancellor of UTM Kuala Lumpur Campus; members of the Dewan Negara and Parliament under APPGM-DRM; the Director General of NADMA; senior officials from government agencies; and industry partners.

YB Ir. Ts. Zahir Hassan, MP Wangsa Maju is one of MDRM MJIIT- UTM Kuala Lumpur alumni, very actively contributing back to our university with a different portfolio

Japan – Malaysia Collaboration in Disaster Risk Reduction

His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki, the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, reaffirmed Japan’s unwavering support for Malaysia’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives, highlighting the importance of a whole-of-society approach in strengthening DRR governance. He emphasized the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness, drawing from Japan’s extensive experience in managing and overcoming various natural disasters. Acknowledging the necessity for proactive measures, the Ambassador reiterated Japan’s commitment to sharing its expertise with Malaysia to bolster disaster control measures and preparedness. Furthermore, he proposed co-organizing a conference that would bring together experts from Japan and Malaysia, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to enhance disaster management strategies. Through these initiatives, Japan continues to demonstrate its dedication to building resilience and enhancing disaster preparedness efforts in Malaysia.

UTM — His Excellency further proposed the co-organization of a conference that would bring together experts from both Japan and Malaysia to advance disaster management strategies

The collaborative efforts in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) between Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim aim to leverage Japan’s knowledge and experience in disaster risk management to support Malaysia in handling flood and wind disasters.

A Decade of DPPC and Strengthening Malaysia’s DRR Policy

The DRR-ID 2025 marked a decade of DPPC’s contributions to disaster preparedness and highlighted the Master in Disaster Risk Management (MDRM) program. This flagship postgraduate program promotes Japanese-oriented higher education in disaster risk management, enhancing Malaysia’s academic and professional capacities in DRR. Our Prime Minister announced the recognition of qualified officers as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) during the 19th Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam, where disaster management was identified as one of the seven new national priority areas. In line with this vision, strengthening the capacities of disaster management professionals has become more critical than ever. Officers are strongly encouraged to pursue professional certification programs or advance their studies at the master’s and doctoral levels, both locally and internationally.

Dr. Khamarrul Azahari Razak, Director of DPPC, highlighted global needs and demands for the local disaster risk reduction (DRR) agenda

YBhg. Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus, the Director General of NADMA at the Prime Minister’s Office, emphasized that the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030 serves as the primary reference for stakeholders, offering guidance for comprehensive disaster risk management at national, local, and cross-sectoral levels. This policy delineates the country’s strategic direction for reducing disaster risks, aiming to transform Malaysia into a safe and disaster-resilient nation.

UTM — The Director General of NADMA shared the way forward and future demands of disaster management driven by emphasizing ICT Technology, data sharing and on-field reporting initiatives

“This DRR-ID explicitly calls all-of-society especially the parliamentarians to develop disaster risk reduction action for public protection. Disaster Risk Reduction is everyone’s business” – Dean MJIIT-UTM

The event highlighted best practices and innovative strategies for reducing risks and addressing policy gaps while promoting a prevention-focused approach to disaster resilience. A major highlight was the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UTM and MERCY Malaysia, witnessed by His Excellency Ambassador Shikata. This MoU represents a significant advancement in disaster education, disaster risk reduction advocacy, and the Humanitarian-Development Nexus (HDN), reinforcing a long-term commitment to building capacity and resilience.

MoU Exchange between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and MERCY Malaysia

UTM — The MoU reflects a shared vision by integrating a disaster risk reduction agenda into policy intervention, advocacy and community-led disaster risk reduction (CLDRR) programs

The HDN approach is an end-to-end framework that civil society organizations and non-profit entities use to integrate humanitarian responses with risk-informed development strategies. The goal is to create sustainable outcomes that help communities become more resilient to disasters. MERCY Malaysia and DPPC (MJIIT, UTM) successfully organized the Sustainable Resilience Agenda: 20 Years of Commemoration of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, from December 21 to 26, 2024.

The Book Humanitarian Stories – Behind the Lens of a Changing World showcased diverse programs and activities spearheaded by MERCY Malaysia for more than two decades

Resilience in action – MERCY Malaysia’s Resilience Living Lab: Lessons Learnt from the Hulu Langat’s Flood (Disaster Response, Preparedness & Recovery)

Towards a More Resilient Future

This impactful program establishes a clear direction and significant milestone to enhance our local actions in line with the global agenda, specifically the UNDRR Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and Malaysia’s Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030. This discourse emphasizes Malaysia’s commitment to expedite local DRR actions while aligning with global targets. By incorporating risk reduction into decision-making, investment strategies, and behavioral changes, Malaysia is proactively working toward a safer, more resilient future amidst the climate crisis.

UTM — Dialogue and Forum: Advancing Climate Resilience & Empowering DRR Parliamentarian

UTM — The President of MERCY Malaysia congratulates the establishment of APPGM-DRM, highlighting its significance in advancing disaster risk management efforts in Malaysia

The DRR Intellectual Discourse 2025 demonstrates Malaysia’s increasing political commitment and collaborative efforts in disaster risk reduction (DRR) across multiple sectors. This sets the groundwork for enhanced policies, effective legislation, and sustainable resilience-building initiatives. The ongoing DPPC research projects, backed by the Malaysia-Japan Linkage (MJL) initiative, exemplify the strong partnership among Japan, Malaysia, and ASEAN, advancing their mutual dedication to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience through innovative research and collaboration.